A major emergency has erupted in West London as a huge fire engulfs a warehouse reported to be filled with fireworks and gas cylinders.
150 Firefighters Battle Massive Fire at Southall Warehouse
About 150 firefighters have been forced to pull back and tackle the blaze from a distance after flames ripped through three-quarters of a two-storey warehouse and retail unit in Southall, Ealing.
Thick black smoke billows across London’s skyline, with residents spotting it as far away as Merton, 17 miles south.
School and Flats Evacuated as Safety Fears Mount
Authorities swiftly evacuated a nearby school and a block of flats amid fears of explosions due to the fireworks and hazardous cylinders stored inside.
Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne, the Brigade’s Incident Commander, said: “This decision has been taken due to the suspected presence of fireworks and cylinders being stored within the structure. All firefighters have withdrawn to a safe distance and are now fighting the fire from a greater distance to ensure crew safety.”
What Witnesses Heard and Saw
Witnesses reported hearing fireworks around 8:40am, just before the fire broke out. One onlooker, 26-year-old Ria, said: “I started hearing firework noises at around 8:40 this morning.”
Locals have been advised to keep doors and windows shut to avoid breathing in the hazardous smoke. Traffic is heavily disrupted as emergency crews continue to battle the inferno.
London Fire Brigade Warns of Prolonged Effort
“Due to the complex nature of the site, and the size of the fire, this will be a protracted incident with crews continuing firefighting operations throughout the day,” added Assistant Commissioner Goulbourne.
The cause of the fire remains unknown as firefighters focus on controlling the blaze and preventing further danger to the community.
